It’s a lovely season in the south metro area. Sure, we’ve already seen the season’s first snow, but that doesn’t mean fall has forgotten Colorado. In Douglas County, there are dozens of trails and open space areas with a variety of fall foliage. In fact, you’d be hard pressed to find a spot that isn’t brimming with gold and red leaves. Here are some of the best places to enjoy the views.

Spruce Mountain Open Space and TrailAddress: 13415 Spruce Mountain Road, LarkspurContact: 303-660-7495How to get there: From Interstate 25, take the Greenland Exit (167) to the west and travel ¼ mile west on Greenland Road and ½ mile south. Bypass the Greenland Trailhead, and continue right on the main gravel road (Noe Road) over two sets of railroad tracks. Take a left, and head south for about one mile to the parking area on your right.The scoop: Spruce Mountain is among the most well-known and beautiful mountain hikes in the county, said Cheryl Matthews, director of open space and natural resources for Douglas County. The 100-car parking lot outside the trailhead is often full on weekends. “It’s kind of a steep climb getting up, but it has beautiful rock cliffs and different kinds of trees all over,” Matthews said. “Of course, there are some really spectacular views at the top.”

Flying B ParkAddress: 2910 Plaza Drive, Highlands RanchContact: 303-791-0430How to get there: From C-470, exit onto Colorado 85, and drive east on County Line Road. Turn south on Erickson Boulevard and then turn east onto Plaza Drive.The scoop: This is a popular place for fall family photos because of the idyllic setting in the center of this community park in north Highlands Ranch. A small fishing pond is surrounded by large trees showering leaves all over the park.

Greenland Open Space Trail and Dog Park
Address: 1532 Noe Road, Larkspur
Contact: 303-660-7495
How to get there: Take Greenland Exit (167) off I-25, and travel west .2 miles and south .5 miles to the Greenland trailhead, located south of Larkspur 4 miles and north of Palmer Lake in the Greenland Open Space.
The scoop: The rolling trail is a loop of about 10 miles through grasslands and forest. There’s a 17-acre, off-leash dog park near the trailhead. Dogs must be leashed on the trail, however.

Dawson Butte Ranch Open Space TrailAddress: 1923 Tomah Road, Castle RockContact: 303-660-7495How to get there: From I-25, take the Plum Creek Parkway exit west and head south 5 miles on the frontage road. Turn west at Tomah Road, and follow 1.5 miles to the Dawson Butte Ranch entrance on the right.The scoop: This is an easy 5-mile loop that’s loaded with thickets of gamble oak, Matthews said. “You can go in and out of the trees and through meadows, and no matter how many people are there, it never really feels crowded,” she said. “It’s a great place for families, and people hiking or riding bikes.”

High Point on Dad Clark Trail at Red-Tail ParkAddress: 2674 Pemberly Ave., Highlands RanchContact: 303-791-2710How to get there: First, go to Red-Tail Park. The Dad Clark trailhead is behind the park’s playground. Follow the gravel trail upward to High Point.The scoop: Finding High Point can be a challenge if you’ve never been to this park. Dad Clark Trail is tucked behind the park and winds upward through rolling hills in south Highlands Ranch to a plateau that reveals a view from the south metro area to Denver.

Glendale Farm Open Space and TrailAddress: 12300 S. Havana St., Castle RockContact: 303-660-7495How to get there: From the south, Exit 188 at Castle Pines and head east over the highway, then head north 2 miles. From the north, Exit 192 at Ridgegate and go east under the highway and then south 2 miles (entrance on the east side of the road).The scoop: Bring your dog to romp around in the leaves! The popular, tree strewn open space includes a 17-acre off-leash dog park. On all the the cloudiest days you’ll enjoy views of the Front Range.

Lincoln Mountain Open SpaceAddress: 7333 Jones Road, Larkspur (unincorporated Douglas County)Contact: 303-895-1209How to get there: Drive about .6 miles west of Colorado 83 on Jones Road, 18 miles south of Franktown.The scoop: There is a 4-mile loop along the bottom of the mountain that goes through a lot of trees and caprock, and there’s a 4-mile loop on the top of the mountain where you can see the leaves changing all the way from Pikes Peak to Longs Peak. The climb is slightly challenging but the views and the descent make it well worth the effort.